Lookingglass Theatre Company is now in residence in the historic Water Tower Pumping Station - one of the few structures to survive the Chicago Fire of 1871 - a high profile landmark on Michigan Avenue. The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs invited Lookingglass, a professional company producing shows in Chicago for the past fifteen years, to move into its first permanent home in the functioning Pumping Station.
The project involved the conversion of existing space within this landmark to a flexible, state-of-the-art performance facility housing two theaters and associated public and performer support space such as lobbies, dressing rooms and concession areas.
The main stage allows Lookingglass to reconfigure the stage and audience seating as dictated by the needs of each production, allowing for a maximum capacity of 270 persons, 60 of whom may be seated at the balcony level. There is a multi-purpose studio space, used for theater presentations, special events, classes, rehearsals and intimate performances.